darryl gesner
05-24-2002, 11:59 PM
I just mowed a new account for the first time today and sure hope I can get it done faster from now on. I bid it at $60 per week. I think $85 is more like it now that I've mowed it. It's an executive home on a private drive with about 1 acre of lawn. The problem is that the only open area is slope and the other areas have so many beds that it took me an hour and 10 minutes to mow it with my 48 inch Exmark. Trying to keep my clippings out of the beds was a PITA. There has to be 1,000 feet of trimming along the circular driveway, rear drive/parking lot, and beds, walks etc. At least it felt like 1,000 feet and took me 45 minutes. It was a bit out of control though. Blowing took me 1/2 hour, something I didn't expect. So I've got 2 1/2 hours plus travel (20 mins each way) for $60 bucks. I think I'll hold my price and hope to get some neighbors (one is already interested) and side work. Those beds are all gonna need mulch every year etc. I figure I can cut the mowing to 1 hour or less if the lawn is dry, the trimming to 20 or 25 minutes and the blowing to 15 minutes if I really hustle. I'm definitely taking some photos of this lawn, would look great in my portfolio! The amazing thing is that after I told him I would charge $60, he told me he was paying $50 last year, but as long as I do a good job, $60 is o.k. I also just bought an Accelerator bagger from my Exmark dealer today in nearly new condtion for $200. It was only used for 2 weeks and has one little dent in it. It will make things easier in some areas, although I don't plan to bag the whole yard. Sorry if I'm rambling, but I don't usually do lawns this nice.